Creating synthetic versions of human milk sugars for infant health
Chemoenzymatic construction of synthetic human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) glycome
This study is working on creating special sugars found in breast milk to help improve the nutrition of babies who aren't breast-fed, making infant formulas and other health products better for their growth and health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10873185 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing synthetic human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are vital for the health of breast-fed infants. The team aims to create a comprehensive library of these sugars using innovative chemoenzymatic methods that make the process more efficient and accessible. By engineering new enzymes and optimizing production processes, they hope to provide a reliable source of HMOs that can be used in infant formulas and other health products. This could significantly enhance the nutritional offerings for infants who are not breast-fed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants who are not exclusively breast-fed and may benefit from enhanced nutritional formulas.
Not a fit: Patients who are exclusively breast-fed may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved infant formulas that better mimic the nutritional benefits of breast milk.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in the development of synthetic HMOs, but this approach aims to create a more comprehensive and efficient method, making it a novel endeavor.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xi — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.